A lurcher who was just ‘skin and bones’ when she was found wandering along a bridal path is now loving life in her new home.
Emily weighed just over 10kg when she was rescued by the RSPCA and taken in by the charity’s Danaher Animal Home, near Braintree.
Danaher’s deputy animal centre manager Louisa Duranti said: “Emily was found as a stray, wandering along a bridle path in March and was taken to a local vet before coming to us.
“She weighed just 10.8kg and was severely emaciated; she was little more than skin and bones. She had pressure sores all over her shoulder blades, hips and legs.
“We put her on a special diet where we fed her little and often to slowly build up her weight and strength and she put almost 5kg on in just a few weeks.
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“She’s such a sweet, friendly and laid-back dog that she was snapped up quickly by a lovely new family and is now settling in well to her new home.”
Mark and Abby Colbear started following Danaher’s Facebook page after moving into their new home and deciding they were ready to take on a dog.
Mark, from Braintree, said: “We had been thinking about getting a rescue dog for a long time, but due to previously being in rental accommodation we were unable to.
"After we moved and started following Danaher online we saw Emily's story and pictures and it broke our hearts; we felt we had to apply to try and help her.
“Emily is doing really well and has almost completely settled in now. We’ve built her up to eat full meals and although she still has anxious moments, especially at night time, we can only imagine what she’s been through and cuddles in the armchair with us seem to help!
“She’s really coming out of her shell and finding her voice. She gives us happy little grunts when we play in the garden or give her fuss in her beanbag.
“Her cheeky and naughty side is also starting to come through now and she likes to hide her favourite treats and dig up the garden, but we don’t mind as we’re so pleased to see her confidence growing. She’s even made lots of human and doggy friends which is lovely to see.
“We’re so lucky to have her and are so pleased that we’ve been able to give her a wonderful forever home after everything she’s been through.”
To help Danaher Animal Home - which is a branch that is an independently registered and funded charity - continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need, visit https://danaheranimalhome.org.uk/donate to donate.
Do you have a dog story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.